Drilling apparatus

ABSTRACT

Drilling apparatus, such as an underreamer ( 20 ) comprises a generally cylindrical tubular body ( 22 ) and two cutting blades ( 26, 27 ) pivotally mounted to the body and movable between a retracted position and an extended position. Each cutting blade has a retracted position minimum gauge cutting portion ( 36 ) and an extended position maximum gauge cutting portion ( 35 ), with the blades in the extended position the gauge cutting portions ( 35 ) extending axially and being located in a transverse plane on or forward of the blade pivot axis.

[0001] This invention relates to drilling apparatus, and in particularto expandable drilling or reaming apparatus.

[0002] GB-A-2 320 270 describes an underreamer with extendable cuttingblades. The tool may be run into a bore on a tubular drill string withthe blades in a retracted position, that is with the cutting face ofeach blade extending longitudinally of the tool body. On reaching thecutting location, an increase in fluid pressure within the body inducesmovement of a piston which acts, via appropriate cam faces, to pivot theblades through 90° to an extended cutting position.

[0003] In the retracted position, the blades lie adjacent andoverlapping one another, within the circumference of the body. Whilethis provides for a compact “running” arrangement, it limits theavailable cutting area of the blades and also prevents the blades fromcutting while in the retracted position. Further, to permit fullextension of the blades it is necessary for parts of the blade cuttingfaces to pass through a position just prior to the fully extendedposition, where the effective diameter described by the blades is largerthan the bore gauge cut by the blades in the fully extended position.Thus, the blades must cut a profile in the bore wall to permit fullextension. Similarly, on retraction of the blades following reaming of asection of bore, it is necessary for the blades to cut an enlargeddiameter profile in the bore to permit blade retraction, or to pull thetool back up to the previously cut profile, before the blades mayretract. Clearly, the requirement to cut such a profile istime-consuming and inconvenient, and is also impractical when theunderreamer is located, for example, within steel casing.

[0004] Due to the 90° rotation of the blades from the retracted positionto the extended position, a portion of the cam face on each blade isrotated to a position where the cam face forms a part of the cuttingface of the blade, and thus is exposed to an increased risk of wear anddamage, which could interfere with the subsequent successful retractionand extension of the blades.

[0005] It is among the objectives of embodiments of the presentinvention to obviate or mitigate these and other disadvantages of thisand other prior art arrangements.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there isprovided drilling apparatus comprising:

[0007] a body; and

[0008] at least two cutting blades pivotally mounted to the body andmovable between a retracted position and an extended position, thecutting blades each having a maximum gauge cutting portion, in theextended position the gauge cutting portions being located in atransverse plane on or forward of the blade pivot axis.

[0009] As the maximum gauge cutting portions always lie on or forward ofthe blade pivot axis, the blades may move between the extended andretracted positions without having to pass through a position where theblades define a diameter larger than the extended blade cutting gauge.

[0010] Preferably, the blades are located at or towards the end of thebody, such that there is no limit placed on the blade length.

[0011] Preferably, the blades are rotatable through an angle of lessthan 90°, and most preferably are rotatable through an angle of about45°.

[0012] Preferably, cutting portions of each blade extend across the fullwidth of the blade in a direction parallel to the pivot axis or axes ofthe blades. This allows provision of a relatively large cutting surface,providing enhanced stability and allowing for cutting elementredundancy. Most preferably, the maximum gauge cutting portions comprisepart-cylindrical cutting areas.

[0013] Preferably, the blades are adapted to cut in both the retractedand extended positions. Thus, in the retracted position, the bladesdefine a swept cutting area of larger diameter than the body; drillcuttings may thus pass between the body and the bore wall, avoiding anytendency for the cuttings to jam the apparatus in the bore. Preferablyalso, each cutting blade has a retracted position gauge cutting portion.Most preferably, with the blades in the retracted position, thesecutting portions define part-cylindrical cutting areas. With the bladesin the extended position, these cutting portions may provide cuttingareas useful for back-reaming. The retracted position gauge cuttingportions also facilitate extension of the blades by allowing the cuttingof an increasing diameter bore to accommodate blade extension.

[0014] Preferably, the cutting blades each define a cutting portionwhich, with the blades fully extended, defines a forward facing cuttingface. In a preferred embodiment, the cutting faces extend over at leastone half or more of the diameter swept by the blades. Most preferably,in the fully extended configuration, these cutting faces lie in asubstantially transverse plane. With the blades fully extended, eachgauge cutting portion preferably presents a cutting area in an axialplane. Thus, each forward facing cutting portion will lie substantiallyperpendicular to the respective gauge cutting portion, and preferablythe transition between the two portions is provided with cuttingelements, most preferably chisel tooth inserts. Preferably also, withthe blades in the retracted positions, these cutting portion transitionsdefine the leading edges of the blades. These leading edges arepreferably in the form of lines or points and are adapted to minimisethe lateral forces experienced by the blades such that the blades arenot urged to expand, and the blade faces may further be adapted to urgethe blades to remain in the retracted position. In other embodiments,the gauge hole may be cut by cutting elements provided on both theforward facing cutting portion and the maximum gauge cutting portions.

[0015] Preferably, the body has a leading end defining a cutting area,and which may carry cutting elements. Preferably, the cutting area isonly exposed when the blades are extended. The cutting area may beutilised when the blades are extended and serve to cut a central area ofthe bore, the extended blades cutting an annular outer area, and thusthe apparatus may be utilised to cut a relatively large diameter bore.

[0016] Preferably, the blades are pivotable on a common axis, which maybe defined by a common pivot pin, but the blades may alternatively bepivotable on different axes. Most preferably, each blade engages thepivot pin at two locations, spaced along the length of the pin, thusstabilising the blades, and minimising pin and blade wear and loading.

[0017] Preferably, in the fully extended position, blade faces areprovided to engage the body, the faces acting as stops and serving totransfer forces to the body, thus reducing the stress experienced by thepivot pins. Most preferably, the faces are formed to allow transfer ofboth axial and rotational forces.

[0018] Preferably, the apparatus includes a blade actuation arrangement.Preferably, the actuation arrangement positively engages each blade,thereby allowing for positive extension and retraction of the blades,and facilitating positive retention of the blades in a desired position,for example allowing application of weight on bit (WOB) in bothextended, retracted, and intermediate positions. In a preferredembodiment, each blade defines a cam slot or groove and the actuationarrangement includes a cam follower, which may be in the form of a studor pin. This allows elimination of blade return torsion springs betweenthe blade and the pivot pin; a blade retraction arrangement may beprovided at a more convenient location, for example within the body.

[0019] Preferably, the actuation arrangement is fluid pressureresponsive, and in a preferred embodiment comprises one or more fluidpressure responsive pistons. Most preferably, the piston is biassedtowards a blade retracting position. The movement of the piston may becontrolled or limited, for example the piston may be coupled to the bodyvia a cam arrangement. This facilitates positive positioning of theblades in intermediate positions, or permits the apparatus to experienceelevated fluid pressure or weight on bit (WOB) without lateral movementof the blades, for example the actuation arrangement may be held in aretracted position, with the blades in the retracted position, whilefluid is circulated through the apparatus to supply ports or jets andthe retracted blades are used for drilling. Such a piston may be bearingmounted to the body to facilitate relative rotation. The piston may acton the blades via an axially extending elongate member or rod,preferably via a pair of rods, which may be biassed to a retractedposition; where the blade actuation arrangement positively engages theblades, the blades are thus biassed to the retracted position. The rodsprovide a convenient means of transferring force through the body. Theactuation arrangement may comprise an axially movable skirt or sleeve.The skirt may define a piston area which is exposed to internal bodyfluid pressure, such that an increase in such pressure will tend,initially at least, to extend the skirt, and thus extend the blades.

[0020] Most preferably, the actuating piston is annular and defines athroughbore to permit fluid passage therethrough, which fluid may supplyjetting nozzles or the like, or act on one or more further actuatingpistons.

[0021] Preferably, the body defines one or more fluid passages whichdirect fluid onto or towards the blades. In one embodiment the bladesalso define fluid passages or channels which co-operate with bodypassages to carry fluid towards cutting portions or areas of the blades.The body may include at least one body passage which is only opened whenthe blades are extended. The resulting pressure drop may serve as anindicator to the operator that the blades have extended. The body mayinclude at least one body passage which directs fluid to an area of theapparatus for cleaning or purging purposes, such that movement of theblades, particularly retraction, is not prevented by, for example,build-up of drill cuttings or other debris between parts of theapparatus.

[0022] The cutting portions or areas of the blades and body may beprovided with any appropriate cutting elements or surfaces, includingtungsten inserts and PDC cutters.

[0023] It will be apparent to those of skill in the art that at leastsome of these preferred features of the first aspect of the inventionwill have utility in other forms of drilling or reaming apparatus whichmay form other aspects of the invention.

[0024] This and other aspects of the present invention will now bedescribed, by way of example, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

[0025]FIG. 1 is a part-sectional view of drilling apparatus inaccordance with a first aspect of the present invention, shown with theblades of the apparatus in an extended position;

[0026]FIG. 2 is an end view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, shown with somecutting elements omitted;

[0027]FIG. 3 is a part-sectional view of the drilling apparatus of FIG.1, shown with the blades in a retracted position;

[0028]FIG. 4 is an end view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, shown with theblades omitted;

[0029]FIG. 5 is a part-sectional view of drilling apparatus inaccordance with a second aspect of the present invention, shown with theblades of the apparatus in an extended position;

[0030]FIG. 6 is an end view of the apparatus of FIG. 5, shown with somecutting elements omitted;

[0031]FIG. 7 is a part-sectional view of the drilling apparatus of FIG.5, shown with the blades in a retracted position;

[0032]FIG. 8 is a part-sectional view of drilling apparatus inaccordance with a third aspect of the present invention, shown with theblades of the apparatus in an extended position;

[0033]FIG. 9 is an end view of the apparatus of FIG. 8, shown with somecutting elements omitted;

[0034]FIG. 10 is a part-sectional view of the drilling apparatus of FIG.8, shown with the blades in a retracted position;

[0035]FIG. 11 is an end view of the apparatus of FIG. 8, shown with theblades omitted;

[0036]FIG. 12 is a view illustrating the cam profile defined by theactuating piston of the apparatus of FIG. 8;

[0037]FIG. 13 is a part-sectional view of drilling apparatus inaccordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, shown with theblades of the apparatus in an extended position;

[0038]FIG. 14 is a view from below of the apparatus of FIG. 13; and

[0039]FIG. 15 is a part-sectional view of the drilling apparatus of FIG.13, shown with the blades in a retracted position.

[0040] Reference is first made to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings,which illustrate drilling apparatus 20 in accordance with a firstembodiment of the present invention.

[0041] The apparatus 20 comprises a generally cylindrical tubular body22 with a rectangular cross-section leading end body portion 24providing mounting for two cutting blades 26, 27 via a pivot pin 28which intersects and lies perpendicular to the body axis 30. The body 22is adapted to be coupled to a saver sub 32 mounted on the leading end ofa tubular drill string (not shown).

[0042] The blades 26, 27 are pivotable between a retracted position(FIG. 3) and an extended position (FIGS. 1 and 2). Each blade 26, 27defines three cutting faces 34, 35, 36, each providing mounting forrespective cutting elements 38, 39, 40, such as tungsten carbideinserts. The first cutting faces lie perpendicular to the body axis 30when the blades 26, 27 are extended, and each face 34 defines arelatively large area part-annular cutting face (see FIG. 2), providingfor cutting element redundancy. The second cutting faces 35 lieperpendicular to the first faces 34 and are part-cylindrical. In thefully extended position, the faces 35 cut the bore gauge. The corner 41between the faces 34, 35 is provided with cutting elements in the formof chisel tooth inserts 42. The third cutting faces 36 lie at 45° to thesecond faces 35 and in the fully extended position provide a cuttingface useful for back-reaming.

[0043] Each blade 26, 27 defines a passage 44 which, when the blades 26,27 are fully extended, communicates with a respective outlet 46 of apassage 48 in the body 22. In use, drilling fluid passes through thepassages 48, 44 and exits the passage 44 at openings 49 adjacent thefirst cutting faces 34.

[0044] The blades 26, 27 are each mounted on the pivot pin 28 via a pairof spaced arms or lugs 50, 51 and 52, 53 and, as noted above, arepivotable between extended and retracted positions. The blades 26, 27are fluid actuated under the control of an actuation arrangement 54, aswill be described.

[0045] In the retracted position, as shown in FIG. 3, the blade corners41 form the leading ends of the apparatus, and the arrangement is suchthat, while drilling in this configuration, the blades 26, 27 experienceminimal lateral forces which would otherwise tend to extend the blades26, 27. It will also be noted that, in this configuration, the thirdcutting faces 36 will cut the bore gauge.

[0046] With the blades 26, 27 in the extended configuration theapparatus 20 may be utilised for reaming an existing bore to a largerdiameter, or for cutting a large diameter bore. As the extended blades26, 27 define an annular swept area, the body portion 24 has a chiselend carrying cutting elements 56 which will cut the central bore area.

[0047] The blades 26, 27 each define a cam slot 60 which co-operateswith a respective cam follower 62 mounted on a respective lug 64extending from the end of a blade actuating skirt or sleeve 66 mountedon a stepped portion of the body 67. The skirt 66 is coupled to a pairof axially extending rods 68 (only one shown) which pass into theinterior of the body 22, each rod 68 being fixed to the skirt 66 bymeans of an opposing shoulder 70 and a circlip 72. A compression spring74 is mounted around each rod 68 between a further rod shoulder 76 and aface of the body. The springs 74 tend to retract the rods 68 into thebody 22, and thus also tend to retract the skirt 66 and blades 26, 27.

[0048] The heads of the rods 68 are engaged by the head of an annularfirst actuating piston 80 mounted in the body 22, the piston 80 alsohaving a hollow cylindrical extension 82 accommodated by a shoulderedbody bore portion 84. A compression spring 86 is provided between thebore shoulder 88 and the free end of the piston extension 82 and urgesthe piston 80 towards a blade retracted position. The head of the pistonis movable in a chamber 90 isolated from the body bore by piston seals92, 93 and the portion of the chamber 90 between the seals 92, 93 is influid communication with the body exterior via body ports 94.

[0049] The head of the piston 80 is engaged by the leading end of asecond annular actuating piston 96 accommodated in an intensifier sub 98forming part of the body 22. In a similar manner to the first piston 80,the head of the second piston 96 is movable in a chamber 100 isolatedfrom the body bore by piston seals 102, 103, with the portion of thechamber 100 between the seals 102, 103 being in fluid communication withthe body exterior via body ports 104. Both pistons 80, 96 are of onepiece construction.

[0050] Due to the provision of the annular pistons 80, 96, drillingfluid may pass through the body 22 to the passages 48, 44, and also topassages 106 which direct fluid behind the skirt 66. Each passage 106has an outlet 108 directing fluid into an area between seals 109 (onlyone shown) between the skirt and body, such that drilling fluid pressurewill tend to move the skirt 66 towards the blade extended position. Afurther outlet 110 directs fluid into an annular cavity 112 formedbetween the body and the extended skirt 66, keeping the cavity 112 clearof drill cuttings and thus facilitating retraction of the skirt 66. Theoutlet 110 is also directed uphole, to facilitate circulation andcuttings entrainment away from the blades 26, 27.

[0051] In use, the apparatus 20 may be run into a drilled bore oh theend of a drill string, with the blades 26, 27 in the retracted position.If necessary the string may be rotated to assist in dislodgingobstructions in the bore, or to remove any “skin” which may have formedon the wall of the bore. On reaching the end of the bore, the apparatusmay be utilised to drill with the blades 26, 27 in a retracted position.However, the primary application of the apparatus 20 is drilling withthe blades 26, 27 in the extended position. This is achieved by pumpingdrilling fluid through the string from surface, the resultingdifferential pressure between the body bore and the annulus between thebody and the bore wall urging the pistons 80, 96 to extend the blades26, 27 through 45°, in the illustrated example from an initial diameterof 311 mm to an extended diameter of 406 mm. Extension of the blades 26,27 may be detected at surface by the drilling fluid pressure drop whichoccurs with the opening of the outlet 110, on extension of the skirt 66.

[0052] In the fully extend position, faces machined onto the bladelocating arms 50, 53 engage the body extension. The faces serve as stopsfor the blades 26, 27. Further, the faces allow for transfer of forcesdirectly to the body 22, thus reducing the stress experienced by thepivot pin 28, particularly when the apparatus is subject toweight-on-bit (WOB).

[0053] The blade cutting faces 34, 35, 36, and in particular the secondand third faces 35, 36, are formed such that the blades 26, 27 may cutas they are extended, the relatively large area of the faces 35, 36providing a large cutting area and subsequently a large number of activecutting elements.

[0054] Retraction of the blades 26, 27 is achieved simply by reducingthe drilling fluid pressure, the various springs and the cam arrangementserving to positively retract the blades 26, 27 in the absence of thedifferential fluid pressure acting on the pistons 80, 96.

[0055] Further, the presence of wiper seals of the rods and skirt, andthe purging of the skirt cavity, minimise the likelihood of any jammingor sticking during retraction.

[0056] Reference is now made to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings, whichillustrate drilling apparatus 120 in accordance with a furtherembodiment of the invention. The apparatus 120 shares many features withthe apparatus 20 described above, and in the interest of brevity thecommon features will not be described again.

[0057] The primary difference between the two embodiments lies in thecoupling between the blades 122, 123 and the actuating skirt 124: theblades 122, 123 are not positively engaged by the skirt 124, rather theskirt 124 includes a pair of lugs 126, 127 which abut cam faces 128 onthe respective blade lugs. Due to the requirement of the blades to pivotthrough only 45°, the faces 128 do not form part of the cuttingstructure, and thus are unlikely to suffer erosion, and only arelatively short stroke is required to fully extend the blades, allowingthe apparatus length to be kept down.

[0058] Reference is now made to FIGS. 8 to 12 of the drawings, whichillustrate drilling apparatus 140 in accordance with a third embodimentof the invention. The apparatus 140 bears many similarities to theapparatus 20 described above, and the common features of the twoembodiments will not be described again in any detail.

[0059] The primary difference lies in the form of the single actuatingpiston 142 which, in this embodiment, defines a cam track 144 whichco-operates with a cam pin 146 mounted on the body 148. The piston 142is mounted on an axial sleeve 150 fixed to the body 148, and is biassedtowards a retracted position by a compression spring 152 positionedaround the sleeve 150. The piston 142 is coupled to the spring 152 via abearing 154, facilitating rotation of the piston 142 as the pin 146travels along the track 144.

[0060]FIG. 12 illustrates the position of the pin 146 in the track 144when the blades 156, 157 are fully extended, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9,in response to the circulation of drilling fluid through the apparatus.In the absence of circulation the blades 156, 157 retract to theposition shown in FIG. 10, and the pin occupies one of the opposite camend stops 158.

[0061] However, the cam track 144 also defines intermediate stops 160,which allow the blades 156, 157 to be retained in the retracted positionin the presence of circulation or WOB. Thus, this apparatus 140 issuited to the drilling of pilot holes, with the blades 156, 157 held inthe retracted position.

[0062] In the absence of circulation, the various springs ensure thatthe blades 156, 157 are or remain retracted.

[0063] In the light of greater likelihood of the blade pivot pin 162experiencing WOB, the pin 162 is strengthened. Also, with the blades156, 157 retracted, the blade cam pins 164 are located in axial portionsof the blade cam slots 166, such that the pins 164 do not experience anyaxial forces, but do serve to prevent lateral movement of the blades156, 157. Furthermore, the blade cam pins 164 are “captured” such thatthe pins 164 are retained and cannot fall out of the skirt lugs 168 inthe event that the pins 164 are sheared.

[0064] In other embodiments of the invention, a cam profile may beprovided which defines intermediate stops, that is stops whichcorrespond to blade positions between the fully retracted and fullyextended positions. This allows drilling or reaming of bores to one of aplurality of available diameters, which may be selected simply bycontrolled circulation of drilling fluid. To facilitate identificationof blade configuration from surface, the body may include drilling fluidports which-are opened as the blade actuating skirt advances, the dropin back pressure which occurs as each fluid port opens allowing theskirt position, and thus the blade configuration, to be determined fromsurface. Alternatively, the body may include an axially extending portwhich is progressively opened as the skirt advances.

[0065] Reference is now made to FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 of the drawingswhich illustrate drilling apparatus, in the form of an underreamer 200in accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention. Theunderreamer 200 shares many features with the apparatus 20 as describedabove with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, and in the interest of brevity thecommon features will not be described again in any detail. The primarydifference between the two embodiments lies in the interaction betweenthe actuating skirt 202 and the underreamer blades 204, 205. Inparticular, the skirt and blades are configured to provide a positivelock to retain the blades in the extended configuration, to facilitateback-reaming, as will be described below.

[0066] The skirt 202 is provided with profiled or castellated lugs 206which, when the skirt is fully extended, as shown in FIG. 13, engagecorresponding profiled faces on the outer lugs 208, 209 of the blades204, 205. The cam followers 210 provided on the skirt 202 engage camtracks 212 provided on the inner blade lugs 213, 214. To allow theblades 204, 205 to rotate from the extended configuration, the end ofthe cam tracks 212 are configured to permit an initial degree ofretraction of the skirt 202 without inducing any rotation of the blades204, 205. Thus, once the blades 204, 205 begin to rotate towards theretracted configuration, there is sufficient clearance between the skirtlugs 206 and the blade lugs 208, 209 to avoid any interferencetherebetween.

[0067] As noted above, this feature facilitates back-reaming, in which,for example, the underreamer 200 may be mounted on coiled tubing towhich tension is being applied. The forces acting on the blades willtend to close the blades 204, 205, however this tendency is resisted bythe engagement of the lugs.

[0068] A similar effect may be achieved by other skirt and bladeconfigurations, for example the skirt may define laterally extending endfaces adapted to abut corresponding opposing faces of the inner bladelugs.

[0069] Those of skill in the art will appreciate that these variousembodiments of the present invention provide drilling apparatus whichovercomes many of the disadvantages of prior proposals. It will also beunderstood that various modifications and improvements may be made tothese embodiments, without departing from the scope of the invention.

1. Drilling apparatus comprising: a body; and at least two cutting blades pivotally mounted to the body and movable between a retracted position and an extended position, each cutting blade having a retracted position minimum gauge cutting portion and an extended position maximum gauge cutting portion, with the blades in the extended position the maximum gauge cutting portions extending axially and being located in a transverse plane on or forward of the blade pivot axis.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the blades are located at or towards the end of the body.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the blades are rotatable through an angle of less than 90°.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the blades are rotatable through an angle of about 45°.
 5. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein cutting portions of each blade extend across the full width of the blade in a direction parallel to the pivot axis or axes of the blades.
 6. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the maximum gauge cutting portions comprise part-cylindrical cutting areas.
 7. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein, with the blades in the retracted position, the retracted position gauge cutting portions define part-cylindrical cutting areas.
 8. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein, with the blades in the extended position, the retracted position cutting portions provide cutting areas adapted for back-reaming.
 9. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising means for locking the blades in a selected position.
 10. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising means for mechanically locking the blades in a selected position.
 11. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising means for locking the blades in the extended position.
 12. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising means for mechanically locking the blades in the extended position.
 13. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the retracted position gauge cutting portions are adapted to facilitate extension of the blades by allowing the cutting of an increasing diameter bore to accommodate blade extension.
 14. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the cutting blades each define a cutting portion which, with the blades fully extended, defines a forward facing cutting face.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said cutting faces extend over at least one half or more of the diameter swept by the blades.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14 or 15, wherein, in the fully extended configuration, said cutting faces lie in a substantially transverse plane.
 17. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein, with the blades fully extended, each gauge cutting portion presents a cutting area in an axial plane.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the cutting blades each define a cutting portion which, with the blades fully extended, defines a forward facing cutting face, and a forward facing cutting portion lies substantially perpendicular to the respective gauge cutting portion.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein a transition portion between each forward facing cutting portion and the respective gauge cutting portion is provided with cutting elements.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said cutting elements are chisel tooth inserts.
 21. The apparatus of claim 19 or 20, wherein, with the blades in the retracted positions, said cutting portion transitions define the leading edges of the blades.
 22. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the body has a leading end defining a cutting area.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said cutting area carries cutting elements.
 24. The apparatus of claim 22 or 23, wherein said cutting area is only exposed when the blades are extended.
 25. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the blades are pivotable on a common axis.
 26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said pivot axis is defined by a common pivot pin.
 27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein each blade engages the pivot pin at two locations, spaced along the length of the pin.
 28. The apparatus of claim 26 or 27, wherein, in the fully extended position, blade faces are provided to engage the body, the faces acting as stops and serving to transfer forces to the body.
 29. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a blade actuation arrangement.
 30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the actuation arrangement positively engages each blade.
 31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein each blade defines a cam slot or groove and the actuation arrangement includes a cam follower.
 32. The apparatus of claim 29, 30 or 31, wherein the actuation arrangement is fluid pressure responsive.
 33. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising means for maintaining the blades in a position other than the extended position in the presence of actuating fluid pressure.
 34. The apparatus of claim 32 or 33, wherein the actuation arrangement comprises one or more fluid pressure responsive pistons.
 35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the piston is biassed towards a blade retracting position.
 36. The apparatus of claim 34 or 35, wherein the piston is coupled to the body via a cam arrangement.
 37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the cam arrangement defines a stop position corresponding to a blade extended position.
 38. The apparatus of claim 36 or 37, wherein the cam arrangement defines a stop position corresponding to a blade retracted position.
 39. The apparatus of claim 36, 37 or 38, wherein the cam arrangement defines at least one stop position corresponding to a blade intermediate position between the retracted and extended positions.
 40. The apparatus of any of claims 36 to 39, wherein the piston is bearing mounted to the body to facilitate relative rotation.
 41. The apparatus of any of claims 34 to 40, wherein the piston acts on the blades via an axially extending elongate member.
 42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the member is biassed to a retracted position.
 43. The apparatus of any of claims 34 to 42, wherein the actuating piston is annular and defines a throughbore to permit fluid passage therethrough.
 44. The apparatus of any of claims 29 to 43, wherein the actuation arrangement comprises an axially movable skirt.
 45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the skirt defines a piston area which, in use, is exposed to internal body fluid pressure, such that an increase in such pressure tends to extend the skirt, and thus extend the blades.
 46. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the body defines one or more fluid passages which direct fluid onto or towards the blades.
 47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the blades also define fluid passages or channels which co-operate with said body passages to carry fluid towards cutting portions or areas of the blades.
 48. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the body includes at least one body passage which is only opened when the blades are at least partially extended.
 49. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the body includes a body passage which is progressively opened as the blades are extended.
 50. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the body includes a plurality of body passages which open in sequence as the blades are extended.
 51. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the body includes at least one body passage which directs fluid to an area of the apparatus for cleaning or purging purposes.
 52. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein cutting portions or areas of the blades and body are provided with cutting elements.
 53. Drilling apparatus comprising: a body; and at least two cutting blades pivotally mounted to the body and movable between a retracted position and an extended position, each cutting blade having a retracted position minimum gauge cutting portion and an extended position maximum gauge cutting portion.
 54. Downhole drilling apparatus comprising: a body defining a diameter; and at least two cutting blades pivotally mounted to the body and movable between a retracted position and an extended position, the blades being adapted to cut in both the retracted and the extended positions and in the retracted position the blades describing a swept diameter larger than said body diameter. 